Here’s where to see free music in metro Detroit this summer
Sure, there are big names and big shows on tap this summer at Little Caesars Arena, DTE Energy Music Theatre, the Fillmore Detroit and elsewhere, but metro Detroit parks and festivals will be alive with the sound of music as well.
From downtown Detroit to Ann Arbor to the northern reaches of Macomb and Oakland counties, admission-free concerts and music events will be abundant every weekend and on most weekdays between now and Labor Day. They’ll feature big-name vintage acts like Loverboy and the Little River Band as well as tried-and-true local talent like Thornetta Davis, Jill Jack and Alexander Zonjic.
Here’s a guide to all the fun. Enjoy the sights and sounds as the season flies by, and remember: Like warm days, gentle breezes and spectacular sunsets, all of these events are free.
Top of the Park (as part of Ann Arbor Summer Festival)
Top of the Park, Ann Arbor
a2sf.org/category/top-of-the-park/
Shows start at 5 p.m.
July 5, Heather Black Project
July 6, Diana Lawrence
July 7, Eddie Eberle
Bank of Ann Arbor’s Sonic Lunch, Ann Arbor
Liberty Plaza (corner of Liberty and Division in downtown Ann Arbor)
Shows start at 11:30 a.m.
July 11, Rayland Baxter
July 25, Guster
Aug. 1, Shaed
Aug. 8, Mat Kerekes
Aug. 15, Flora Cash
Aug. 22, Michael Franti and Spearhead
Aug. 29, Jessica Hernandez & The Deltas
Chevrolet Rockin’ on the Riverfront Concert Series, Detroit
GM Plaza
Shows start at 7:30 p.m.
July 12, The Marshall Tucker Band
July 19, Mark Farner’s American Band
July 26, Soul Asylum
Aug. 2, Loverboy
Aug. 9, Jon Anderson of Yes
Aug. 16, Little River Band
Concerts in the Park, Clarkston
Depot Park
Shows start at 6 p.m.
facebook.com/ClarkstonAreaChamberofCommerce/photos/a.446071777567/10156555340682568/?type=3
July 5, Magic Bus
July 12, Ben Sharkey
July 19, Kari Lynch Band
Concerts in Goudy Park, Wayne
Goudy Park
Shows start at 7:30 p.m.
facebook.com/events/2359143957498224/
July 17, Major Woody
July 24, Theo Gridiron
July 31, Live Bullet Detroit
Aug. 7, Rock Star
Aug. 14, Steve King & The Dittilies
Aug. 21, Power Play
Aug. 28, Fifty Amp Fuse
Concerts in the Park, Ann Arbor
Burns Park
Shows start at 3 p.m.
July 28, Gemini
Aug. 4, Dan Hall
Aug. 11, Guy Louis
Aug. 18, Matt Watroba
Concerts In The Park, Brownstown
Brownstown Event Center
Shows start at 7 p.m.
brownstown-mi.org/rec_newsletter.html
July 9, Rich Eddy’s Rockin’ Oldies
Aug. 20, Even Steven Band
Concerts In The Park, Chesterfield Township
Brandenburg Park
Shows start at 7 p.m.
parks.chesterfieldtwp.org/Default.aspx?id=73
July 11, Rick Lieder Band
July 18, Audrey Ray Music
July 25, Momford & Sons
Aug. 1, The Invasion
Aug. 8, The Jukebox Junkies
Aug. 15, The Ultimate 80s Tribute Band
Concerts In The Park, Lathrup Village
Municipal Park gazebo, behind City Hall
Shows start at 7 p.m.
lathrupvillage.org/departments/concerts_in_the_park.php
July 10, Roots Vibrations
July 17, Full Throttle
July 24, Madelyn Grant
July 31, Nuevo Jazz Band
August 7, Thornetta Davis
Concerts In The Park, Orion Township
Wildwood of Orion
Shows start at 7 p.m.
orionparks.com/default.aspx?id=1
July 9, Thunderwude & Escaping Pavement
July 16, LOHS Bands
July 23, Southeastern Michigan Wind Ensemble
July 30, Dave Bennett Quartet
Aug. 6, Lazer Lloyd & The Talsa Youngbloods
Aug. 13, Gasoline Gypsies
Concerts In The Park, Oxford
Centennial Park
Shows start a 7 p.m.
thevillageofoxford.org/downtown_life/concerts_in_the_park.php
July 11, Rust Wright Blues Band
July 18, Ruby T & Valentine
July 25, Brother Crowe
Aug. 1, Blue Cat Band
Aug. 8, Bob Marshall Band
Aug. 15, Billy Mack & The Juke Joint Johnnies
Aug. 22, Denise David & Motor City Sensations
Concerts In The Park, Redford
Handy Park
Shows start at 7 p.m.
facebook.com/Redfordleisureservices/photos/a.360789080771833/1093290740854993/?type=3&theater
July 9, Surf Zup
July 16, Detroit Social Club Blues Band
July 23, Fast Eddie Band
July 30, The Sympathy Orchestra
Aug. 6, Taylor Tucky
Aug. 13, The KEG Band
Aug. 20, Sound Proof
Aug. 27, Sinjon Smith
Concerts In The Park, Romeo
Romeo Village Park
Shows start at 5:30 p.m.
rwbparksrec.org/concertsinthepark2019.pdf
Aug. 4, Wayward Wind
Aug. 11, Gypsy and the Rockers
Aug. 18, Detroit Social Club
Aug. 25, Parker Devins Trio
Concerts in the Park, South Lyon
McHattie Park
Shows start at 7 p.m.
southlyonmi.org/2019%20Concerts%20in%20the%20Park%20flyer.pdf
July 12, Bill Bynum & Co.
July 19, Aral Sea Divers
July 26, Fast Eddie
Aug. 2, Annie & Rod Capps
Aug. 9, Randy Brock Group
Aug. 16, Rich Eddy’s Rockin’ Oldies
Aug. 23, Invasion
DTE’s Beacon Park Summer Concert Series, Detroit
Beacon Park
Shows start at 6:30 p.m., except June 14 at 7 p.m.
July 21, Tamia
Aug. 17, Thomas McClary Commodores Experience
Eastpointe Music in the Plaza, Eastpointe
Eastpointe City Hall Plaza
Shows start at 6:30 p.m.
erchamber.com/events/list/?tribe_paged=2&tribe_event_display=list
July 24, Denise Davis and Motor City Sensation
Aug. 7, Wally Fitz Band
First State Bank Summer Sounds Concert Series, Clinton Township
The Mall at Partridge Creek
(Mon., Thu., Fri: 5:30 p.m.; Sat. 4 p.m.; Sun. and holidays 1 p.m.)
shoppartridgecreek.com/event/First-State-Bank-Summer-Sounds-Concert-Series/2145525758/
July 5, Collision Six
July 6, Hollie & The Johnnies
July 7, Plan B
July 8, Kroon Duo
July 11, Kroon Duo
July 12, Rich Eddy's Rockin' Oldies
July 13, Sun Messengers
July 14, Rock-N-Soul
July 15, Kat Orlando Duo
July 18, Geff Phillips Duo
July 19, Von Zippers
July 20, Issac Ryder Band
July 21, Vinyl Underground
July 22, Ed & Gretch
July 25, Jeff Fab
July 26, SinJon Smith
July 27, Sonic Freeway
July 28, Dance Floor Crush
July 29, Tee Turner
Aug. 1, Space Cats Duo
Aug. 2, Ringer Starr
Aug. 3, Mainstream Drive
Aug. 4, Merge
Aug. 5, Jeff Fab
Aug. 8, Geff Phillips Duo
Aug. 9, Cancel Monday
Aug. 10, Joey Vee
Aug. 11, The Antekes
Aug. 12, Geff Phillips Duo
Aug. 15, Byron & Michelle
Aug. 16, Weekend Comeback
Aug. 17, Dave Edwards & The Look
Aug. 18, The Rick Lieder Band
Aug. 19, Isaac Ryder
Aug. 22, Bing & Linda
Aug. 23, The Dale Hicks Band
Aug. 24, Teddy Petty
Aug. 25, American Ages Band
Aug. 26, Kroon
Aug. 29, Tee Turner
Aug. 30, Rich Eddy's Rockin' Oldies
Aug. 31, Byron in Motion
Sept. 1, Rhythm Kings
Sept. 2, The Kroon Band
Friday Beach Party, Detroit
Campus Martius
Shows start at 4:30 p.m.
downtowndetroitparks.com/content/view/full/2698/(date)/1559939400
July 12, Hurricane Band
July 19, Roots Vibrations
July 26, Roots Vibrations
Aug. 2, Flex Crew
Aug. 9, Hurricane Band
Aug. 16, Roots Vibrations
Aug. 23, Zion Lion
Friday Nites Music & Foodie Rallies, Dearborn
Wagner Park
Shows start at 5 p.m.
downtowndearborn.org/event/friday-nites-music-foodie-rallies/
July 26, Kaleido
Aug. 23, Fun House
Gazebo Concert Series, Lake Orion
Children’s Park
Shows start at 6:30 p.m.
downtownlakeorion.org/event/gazebo-concert-series/
July 10, Steve Taylor
July 17, Jaime Marvin
July 24, Whiskey Charmers
July 31, Mary McGuire
Aug. 7, Acoustic Ash
Aug. 14, Lac La Belle
Aug. 28, Trey Simon
In the Park Summer Concert Series, Birmingham
Shain Park
Shows start at 7 p.m. except for two listed at noon
bhamgov.org/residents/summer_concerts.php
July 7, US Jazz Ambassadors
July 10, 12 p.m. Siloam Pool
July 10, Steve Acho
July 17, Audrey Ray
July 24, Skye Island Band
July 31, Thornetta Davis
Aug. 7, Magic Bus
Aug. 14, 12 p.m. SurfZurp
Aug.14, Nobody's Business
Jazz On The Ave, Dearborn
City Hall Park
Shows start at 7 p.m.
downtowndearborn.org/event/jazz-on-the-ave/
July 17, Alexander Zonjic & Friends
July 24, Four80East
July 31, Dave McMurray
Aug. 7, Jeff Kashiwa
Aug. 14, Urban Jazz Coalition
Aug. 21, Malanie Rutherford
Lunch Beats In Riley Park, Farmington
Riley Park
Shows start at noon
downtownfarmington.org/lunchbeats
June 19, Jimi K
June 26, Sami Mei
July 3, Mark Reitenga
July 10, Maggie McCabe
July 17, Al Carmichael
July 24, John Latini
July 31, Carly Bins
Aug. 7, Billy Brandt
Aug. 14, Sheila Landis & Rick Matle
Aug. 21, Emmanuelle Jacob
Marshbank Music Series 2.0, West Bloomfield
Marshbank Park
Shows start at 6:30 p.m.
wbparks.org/marshbank-music.html
July 17, Downriver Dan and Power Play Detroit
July 24, Paddlebots and Laughing Madmen
July 31, Stardusters and Detroit Soul Revue
Milford Concerts In The Park, Milford
Central Park
Shows start at 7 p.m.
milfordtownship.com/docs/Parks%20and%20Rec/Milford%20Concert%202019.pdf
July 11, Trilogy
July 18, Fifty Amp Fust
July 25, Rockstar
Aug. 1, Mainstreet Soul
Aug. 15, Magic Bus
Mill Pond Concert Series, Brighton
Mill Pond (downtown Brighton)
Shows start at 6:30 p.m.
facebook.com/Kiwanis-Club-of-Brighton-312645365438883/
July 7, Moose & Da Sharks
July 14, Toppermost
July 21, 50AmpFuse
July 28, Power Play Detroit
Aug. 4, Magic Bus
Aug. 11, Fast Eddie
Aug. 18, The Persuasion Band
Aug. 25, Steve King and the Dittilies
Movies and Music in the Park, Clinton Township
Township Gazebo
Shows start at 7 p.m.
clintontownship.com/summer-concert-series.html
July 17, Collision Six
July 25, Mainstream Drive
July 31, “Mom” Ford and Sons
Aug. 7, Room 13
Music From the Heart, Livonia
Livonia City Hall
Shows start at 7 p.m.
facebook.com/pg/artsinlivonia/events/?ref=page_internal
July 11, Motor City Soul
July 18, Trilogy
July 25, Rock and Roll Never Forgets
Aug. 1, Devin Scillian & Arizona Son Band
Aug. 8, Sinjon Smith
Aug. 15, Cruizin' Jupiter
Aug. 22, Mainstreet Soul
Aug. 29, Steve King & The Dittilies
Music in the Air, Plymouth
Kellogg Park
Shows start at 7 p.m.
downtownplymouth.org/71/Music-In-The-Air-Concert-Series
July 5, Steve Acho
July 19, Steve King & The Dittilies
July 26, Randy Brock Group
Aug. 2, Dale Hicks Band
Aug. 9, Motor City Soul
Aug. 16, Theo Gridiron
Aug. 23, Rick K. & The Allnighters
Aug. 30, Magic Bus
Music In The Meadows, Oakland Township
Bear Creek Nature Park
Shows start at 7 p.m.
oaklandtownship.org/boards_and_commissions/parks_and_recreation/music_in_the_meadows/index.php
July 12, Kittel 7 Co.
Cranberry Lake Farm
Aug. 16, Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings
Music In The Park, Dearborn
City Hall Park
Shows start at 7 p.m.
facebook.com/events/964604417071562/
July 10, Badman Blues
Music In The Park, Fenton
Fenton Millpond Park Gazebo
Shows start at 7 p.m.
http://slpr.net/news/summer-concert-series-2019/
July 11, Chautauqua Express
July 13, Denise Davis & The Motor City Sensations
July 18, Gary Sacco Band
July 25, The Kari Lynch Band
Aug. 1, Ghost Town Blues Band
Aug. 8, Shout!
Aug. 15, Arena Rock Detroit
Aug. 22, Captured Detroit
Aug. 29, Magic Bus
Music in The Park, Macomb Township
Macomb Corners Park
Shows start at 7 p.m.
gomtpr.org/events/music-in-the-park/
July 11, The Pheonix Theory
July 18, Katmandu – Bob Seger Tribute Band
July 25, Jerry Ross Band
Aug. 1, Fifty Amp Fuse
Music In The Park, Rochester
Rochester Municipal Park
Shows start at 7:30 p.m.
facebook.com/musicintheparkdowntownrochester/
July 4, Russ Miller Jazz Orchestra
July 11, Surf Zup
July 18, Beth Griffith Manley
July 25, Rochester Symphony Orchestra
Music in the Park, Sterling Heights
Dodge Park Amphitheatre
Shows start at 7 p.m.
sterling-heights.net/1334/Music-In-the-Park
July 3, Dale Vaughn
July 11, Atomic Radio
July 18, Magic Bus
Aug. 1, Jedi Mind Trip
Aug. 8, Katmandu
Aug. 15, Joey Vee Band
Aug. 22, Your Generation
Music Lakeside, Belleville
Horizon Park
Shows start at 7 p.m.
musiclakeside.com/schedule.html
July 11, Jill Jack
July 18, The Bobby Murray Band
July 25, The Stubbs Girls
Aug. 1, The Paxton Spangler Band
Aug. 8, Tequila Mockingbirds
Aug. 15, Toppermost
Music On The Lake Concert Series, Saint Clair Shores
Veterans Memorial Park
Shows start at 7 p.m.
scsmi.net/600/Music-on-the-Lake-Concert-Series
July 10, Mainstream Drive
July 17, The Groove Council
July 24, Joey Vee Band
July 31, Devin Scillian with Arizona Sun
Aug. 7, Captain Fantastic Detroit
Aug. 14, Air Margaritaville
Music On The Plaza, Grosse Pointe
Corner of Kercheval & St. Clair
Shows start at 7 p.m.
July 11, The Universal
July 18, Arizona Sun with Devin Scillian
July 26, The Sun Messengers
Aug. 1, Alvin Waddles & Friends
Aug. 8, Emma Aboukasm
Music Under the Stars, Dearborn
Dearborn Hills Golf Course
Shows start at 7:30 p.m.
dearbornfordcenter.com/center-news/146-music-under-the-stars
July 25, Holly and the Johnnies
Aug. 22, Fifty Amp Fuse
Sept. 12, Dearborn Big Band
Dunworth Pool Deck, Levagood Park
Aug. 8, Atomic Radio
Oak Park Summer Concert Series, Oak Park
David H. Shepherd Park
Shows start at 7 p.m.; except July 4 at 1 p.m.
July 11, Big Ray and the Motor City Kings
July 18, Mainstreet Soul
July 25, Root Vibrations
Aug. 1, Straight Ahead
Aug. 8, Serieux
Rhythms In Riley Park, Farmington
Riley Park
Shows start at 7 p.m.
downtownfarmington.org/Downtown-Events/Whats-Happening/Rhythms-in-Riley-Park
July 5, Major Dudes
July 12, Motown Eagles
July 19, Skye Island Band
July 26, Billy Mack & The Juke Joint Johnnies
Aug. 2, Randy Brock Group
Aug. 9, Wayback Machine
Aug. 16, The Shy
Aug. 23, Chirp
River Blast 2019, Detroit
Belle Isle State Park, (Sunset Pointe)
Shows start at 6:30 p.m.
July 21, Novi Concert Band
July 28, Plymouth Community Band
Aug. 4, Warren Concert Band
Aug. 11, Canton Concert Band
Aug. 18, Five Lakes Silver Band
Aug. 25, Birmingham Concert Band
Salty Summer Sounds, Saline
Ann Arbor Street in downtown Saline
Shows start at 7 p.m.
salinemainstreet.org/about-us/promotions-team/summer-music-series/
July 11, Thunderwüde
July 18, Frontier Ruckus
July 25, Young Pioneer
Aug. 1, Wyland
Aug. 8, Matt Jones and the Reconstruction
Aug. 15, Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic
Aug. 22, Saline Big Band with Depot Town Big Band
Sizzling Summer Art Series, Novi
Shows start at 10:30 a.m.
https://cityofnovi.org/Government/City-Services/Parks,-Recreation-and-Cultural-Services/Cultural-Arts/Special-Events/Flyer-SizzlingSummerArtSeries.aspx
Pavilion Shore
July 10, The Music Lady Beverly Meyer
July 17, Polynesian Dancers of Michigan
July 24, Musician Guy Louis
July 31, Animal Magic
Fuerst Park
Aug. 7, Musical Duo Gemini
Aug. 14, Rock N Roll K9s
Sounds of Summer, Walled Lake
Hiram Simms Park
Shows start at 7 p.m.
lakesareachamber.com/event/city-of-walled-lake-summer-concerts-in-the-park-2018-08-08/2019-07-24/
July 10, All Directions
July 17, Laughing Madmen
July 24, Groove Suns
July 31, The Patrick Fitzgibbon Band
Aug. 7, Detroit Social Club
Sounds in Downtown, Romulus
Romulus Historical Park
Shows start at 7 p.m.
facebook.com/pg/DowntownRomulus/events/?ref=page_internal
July 12, LL7 Latin Jazz
July 26, Infinity & Beyond
Aug. 9, Cruizin Jupiter
Aug. 23, Tequila Mockingbirds
Stars In The Park, Farmington Hills
Heritage Park
Shows start at 7 p.m.
fhgov.com/Activities/Programs/Cultural-Arts/Summer-Concerts.aspx
July 11, Grizzly Goat
July 18, High School Music Night
July 25, FCB Big Band
Aug. 1, Farmington Community Chorus
Aug. 8, TBD A Capella
Aug. 15, Stan Barnes & Friends
Summer Concert Series, Canton
Heritage Park
canton-mi.org/722/Summer-Concert-Series?PREVIEW=YES&PREVIEW=YES&PREVIEW=YES&PREVIEW=YES
Tuesdays Are Terrific
Shows start at 11:30 a.m.
July 16, Ralph’s World
July 23, Genot Picor Storyteller
July 30, Music Man Dave
Aug. 6, Melissa Behring
Aug. 13, Story Rhythms
Thursday Night Live Concert Series
Shows start at 7 p.m.
July 11, The Groove Party
July 18, Killer Flamingos
July 25, Shiny Penny
Aug, 1, Dueling Pianos
Aug. 8, Alexandria N’ Transit
Aug. 15, Trilogy
Summer Concert Series, Lincoln Park
Memorial Park
Shows start at 7 p.m.
citylp.com/departments/parks_and_recreation/programs_and_events.php#
July 11, Alan Turner and the Steel Horse Band
July 18, Cruizin’ Jupiter
July 25, Category 5
Aug. 1, Alexandria N’Transit Band
Aug. 8, Bernadette Kathryn and the Lonely Days Band
Aug. 15, Little Davy and the Dipolmats
Aug. 22, Infinity & Beyond
Aug. 29, James Dean Acoustic Experience
Summer Concerts, Northville
Friday Night Concerts
Town Square (downtown Northville)
Shows start at 7 p.m.
downtownnorthville.com/1/163/friday_concerts_.asp
July 12, Detroit Social Club
July 19, Theo Gridiron
July 26, Sound Station
Aug. 2, 3rd Degree Byrnes
Aug. 9, Gia Warner
Aug. 16, Shawn Riley Band
Aug. 23, Steve King and the Dittilies
Aug. 30, Social Bones
Wednesday Night Concerts – Northville Unplugged!
July 10, Jill Jack
July 17, The Johnnies
July 24, Alex Mendenall
July 31, Matt Gabriel
Aug. 7, Sam Van Wagoner
Aug. 14, Kris Kurzawa Duo
Aug. 21, Shawn Riley Duo
Aug. 28, Steve Taylor
Summer Concert Series, Ferndale
Ferndale Public Library
Shows start at 6:30 p.m.
ferndalepubliclibrary.org/events/category/events/
July 16, The Aston Neighborhood Pleasure Club
Aug. 20, Ronny Tibbs
Summer Concert Series, Wixom
Sibley Square Park
Shows start at 7 p.m.; June 27 at 6 p.m.
wixomgov.org/home/showdocument?id=8035
July 11, Magic Bus
July 18, Theo Gridiron
July 25, 2XL
Aug. 1, Kris Kurzawa Group
Aug. 8, Steve King & The Dittilies
Aug. 15, Chris Canas Band
Aug. 22, Rick K and The Allnighters
Summer Concerts, Shelby Township
Shelby Township Municipal Campus
Shows start at 7 p.m.
facebook.com/pg/ShelbyTwpParksandRec/events/?ref=page_internal
July 24, Totally Awesome 80’s
Summer Concerts, Southfield
cityofsouthfield.com/Portals/0/docs/Parks%20&%20Rec/ParksRecSpSu19Guide.pdf
Eat To The Beat Lunchtime Concert Series
Corner of Civic Center Drive and Central Park Blvd.
Shows start at 11:30 a.m.
July 11, All Directions
Aug. 8, Kathleen Murray Band
Sept. 12, Theo Gridiron Spight
Gazebo Concerts at the Burgh
Burgh Historical Park
Shows start at 7 p.m.
July 9, Serieux
July 16, Straight Ahead
July 23, Angela Davis
July 30, Detroit Social Club
Aug. 6, Alise King
Aug. 13, 313 Live Experience
Aug. 20, Groove Council
Summer in the City Concert Series
Southfield Municipal Complex Front Lawn
Shows start at 7 p.m.
July 5, Sun Messengers
July 12, The Rhythm Kings
Summer Music Series, Auburn Hills
Riverside Amphitheater
Shows start at 7 p.m.
auburnhills.org/community/downtown/friday_night_concert_series/index.php
July 12, Cancel Monday
July 19, Toppermost Beatles
July 26, Detroit Rock City KISS Tribute Band
Aug. 2, Kroon & The D’scendants
Aug. 9, Sun Messengers
Aug. 16, The Classics
Aug. 23, Collision 6
Sundays in the Garden Summer Series, Ypsilanti
Cultivate Coffee & Tap House
Shows start at 6 p.m.
cultivateypsi.com/upcomingevents
July 7, The Tone Farmers
July 14, Chris Dupont & Adam Plomaritas
July 21, Madelyn Grant w/Jacob Sigman
July 28, Honey Monsoon w/Rachael & Dominic John Davis
Aug. 4, Hullabaloo
Aug. 11, Trey Priest & Dani Darling
Aug. 18, Rachel Mazer
Aug. 25, Abigail Stauffer & Kate Peterson
Sept. 1, Seth Bernard & Jordan Hamilton
Tunes on Tuesday, Northville
Town Square
Shows start at 10:30 a.m.
downtownnorthville.com/1/163/tunes_on_tuesday.asp
July 9, Paula Doak
July 16, Kevin Devine
July 23, Paula Messner
July 30, Earth Angels
Aug. 6, Rick Kelley
Aug. 13, Eugene Clark
Aug. 20, Guy Lewis
Aug. 27, Stephanie J